Mintzer, Bob
MCG Jazz, 2005, CD
Instrument: Saxophone
Issue: 12.1
Jazz Ruler Type: BigBand
Performance: 5
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: Bob plays sax so it stands to reason that a big band under his leadership would have an excellent brass element and so it does. But that is just one element of what makes this an exceptional release. He’s joined by the Yellowjackets on two of the songs adding their contemporary fusion to the mix. The vocal element comes from Kurt Elling, one the finest jazz singers on today’s scene. Mintzer wrote all except Coltrane’s “Resolution” and he brings us a fresh set; this is also commendable. He wraps the session with our favorite “Go Go”, a funky number with strong punctuation. Yes, we liked it!
